To promote journalism excellence: MTN launches Y’ello Press Awards.

This was during a ceremony that was presided by the Minister of Communication, René Emmanuel Sadi.

Also in attendance were; the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of MTN Cameroon, Wanda Matandela, representatives of the Federation of Newspaper Publishers of Cameroon, FEDIPRESSE, members of award jury and the technical committee set for the purpose as well as media professionals.

Minister Sadi commended MTN Cameroon for taking the bold initiative to reward journalism excellence at a time quality journalism is more important than ever.

He reflected on the evolution of the country’s media landscape since the liberalisation of the press over three decades ago. 

According to him, while the reform initially stimulated creativity and expanded media freedom, it also led to the emergence of inadequately trained practitioners entering a profession that demands high ethical and intellectual standards.

The minister warned that such shortcomings have, over time, affected the credibility of the media. 

“This trend has contributed to tarnish the image of our media landscape and, in some quarters, to undermine the perception which the public has for journalists,” he said.

He emphasised that initiatives such as Y’ello Press Awards are timely and would promote integrity, and a renewed sense of pride within the profession.

Press freedom comes with responsibility

While reaffirming the importance of press freedom as a fundamental democratic right, Minister Sadi stressed that it comes with serious responsibilities.

“Press freedom must be regarded as a fundamental right, but it is equally undeniable that it imposes a high standard of responsibility on journalists,” he said.

He underscored that journalism must serve the public interest through accurate, well-researched, and balanced reporting. 

The member of government further praised MTN Cameroon for aligning with national development priorities, describing the company’s initiative as an act of corporate citizenship and social responsibility. 

Salutes framework for excellence

According to the minister, the Y’ello Press Awards are not just about recognition, but about building a structured and sustainable framework to enhance journalistic quality.

“The awards are not merely a recognition of journalists’ talent and merit. They also establish a credible framework designed to foster the development of high-quality journalism,” he explained.

He announced that the first edition of the awards has already opened nominations, with the process running until the final ceremony scheduled for December 2026. Minister Sadi urged journalist to take advantage of the opportunity.

MTN key partner in media transformation

The CEO of MTN Cameroon, Wanda Matandela, expressed pride in launching the Y’ello Press Awards, insisting that “we are committed to being a long-term partner in Africa’s progress”.

Wanda emphasised MTN’s belief that innovation and development cannot exist without trust which thrives with a strong, independent, and credible media.

He said the awards is part of MTN’s strategy to strengthen the media ecosystem in Cameroon, particularly the print media sector, which continues to face economic and structural challenges.

Digital transformation, innovation in media

Wanda highlighted MTN’s recent initiatives, including the Y’ello Kiosk, a digital platform launched in 2025 that allows newspapers to be sold and accessed online.

“With the Y’ello Press Awards, we are adding a second pillar: recognising excellence in content, ethics, investigation, storytelling, and innovation,” he stated.

He further announced plans for the MTN Pan African Media Innovation Programme, a capacity-building initiative that will train selected journalists in modern reporting techniques.

“Technology alone does not build trust. People do,” he emphasised, adding that investing in journalists is investing in democracy and social cohesion.

Enter FEDIPRESS

The Executive Secretary of FEDIPRESS, Parfait Siki, also welcomed the initiative. He thanked MTN Cameroon for its commitment to the future of the written press.

He stressed that the survival of print media depends on adaptation to digital realities and improved content quality. 

According to him, journalists must return to the fundamentals of verification, accuracy, and ethical reporting in order to compete with the rise of social media information.

The General Manager for Regulatory and Corporate Affairs at MTN Cameroon, Jean Melvin Akam, highlighted the company’s ongoing partnership with FEDIPRESS.

Akam said it focuses on digital newspaper sales, journalists capacity building, and promotion of excellence in journalism.

He noted that the launch of the Y’ello Kiosk has already improved access to newspapers locally and internationally.  Y’ello Press Awards, he restated aim to further elevate professional standards.

Akam also reflected on the evolution of media consumption, noting that digital platforms and social networks have transformed how people access information. 

He stressed the need for traditional media to adapt without losing its core identity as an interpreter and verifier of information. Akam suggested expanding the awards to include radio and television.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3779 of Monday May 04, 2026